Page 12 - 2024-2025 Travel Guide to Florida
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WELCOME TO FLORIDA
of activities from boating and fishing to biking and hiking puts one in close touch with nature’s biggest beasts and smallest insects. The curious can also arrange private tours with exotic animal rescue and rehabil- itation operations such as the Zoological Wildlife Foundation and McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary, both located in South Florida.
For conservancy on a smaller scale, many programs all over the state, such as the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale, help protect sea turtle nests.
WILD ABOUT FLORIDA
Florida is made up of 1,197 miles of coastline, of which 663 are foot-friendly beaches. It isn’t all salty water and fruity cocktail culture, however. The interior of the state is far different than many expect, with nearly 8,000 lakes and more than 11,000 miles of rivers and streams. Lake Okeechobee—in the center of the state—is Florida’s largest. It not only provides drinking water for many surrounding and southern counties, but it is also an agricul- tural resource for the state’s abundant produce. It offers some of the best largemouth bass fishing in Florida. The protective dike that encircles the lake is part
KAYAKING IN PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA'S SPORTS COAST • PASCO COUNTY/TRAVIS TRAVELS PHOTOGRAPHY
GREAT SAVINGS
Head to South Florida in the heat of summer for good deals. Winter yields great rates in northern Florida. Orlando has its own seasons, which coincide with school breaks; the Visit Orlando website offers discounts on attractions, restau- rants and shopping by visiting bestoforlando.com. Reputable online ticket brokers include mousesavers.com, ticketmomma.com, undercovertourist.com and officialticketcenter.com.
The Entertainment Book (shop.entertainment.com) is a local favorite and you don’t have to be a local to buy it. Also try groupon.com or livingsocial.com for discounts at hotels, attractions and restaurants. Three popular attractions in South Florida— Lion Country Safari, Everglades Alligator Farm and Zoo Miami—offer unlimited visits at summersavingspass.com.
In the Tampa Bay area, CityPASS offers savings of 54 percent on admission to the top five Tampa Bay attractions: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, The Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, Clearwater Marine Aquarium and the Museum of Science & Industry or the Tropics Boat Tours Dolphin or Sunset Cruise. The pass is good for 9 consecutive days starting with the first day of use. Plan your visit at citypass.com/tampa.
of the National Scenic Trail, a 110-mile route, popular with hikers, naturalists, cyclists and horseback riders.
In addition, the state has nearly 30 first- magnitude freshwater springs—more than any other state. Most of these watering holes, including Wakulla Springs—one of the deepest, and Silver Springs—one of the largest, are clustered in Northwest and North Central Florida.
Finally, Florida claims quite a river culture, notwithstanding the famed River of Grass, a.k.a. the Everglades, where native and non-native wildlife are the most diverse. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot the elusive and endangered Florida panther, the only big cat living in the wild in this state.
From airboat rides and alligator spotting in the swamps to kayaking along the immortal Suwannee River, framed by cool, green woodlands, and crabbing in the tributaries of the Apalachicola River, waterway adventures are endless. Here is
10 2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA